Uganda Tennis Association (UTA) is set to launch a landmark Nationwide Development Program aimed at expanding the sport to 75 districts across the country, in full alignment with the new National Sports Law.
The program, which kicked off last weekend, will include Regional Coaching Workshops that will bring together District Sports Officers and selected Primary Sports Officers in a coordinated effort to strengthen Grassroots Tennis Structures and prepare the sport for enhanced participation in national school competitions.
Anchored on the New Sports Act
The core objective of the initiative is to operationalise the requirements of Uganda’s new Sports Act, which calls for structured governance, formal registration of sports entities, and nationwide participation.
By building strong district-level structures, UTA is reinforcing compliance with the National Sports Law while creating sustainable systems for talent identification and development.
UTA’s program is specifically designed to enable lawn tennis to be actively played in at least 75 districts across Uganda and also position tennis as a competitive sport in the UPSSA Ball Games 2026.
Program Objectives
Among others, the core objectives of the development program include:
- Organising Teacher Training Workshops that will equip sports teachers and district officers with modern coaching methodologies and tennis development strategies.
- Coaching Primary School Pupils through structured coaching sessions that will prepare young players to compete effectively in the UPSSA Ball Games 2026.
- Supporting Equipment Procurement by working closely with schools and districts to facilitate the acquisition of tennis equipment. Participating schools/clubs will receive starter equipment (balls and rackets) from UTA.
- Organising Monthly Regional Competitions to provide match experience and identify emerging talent.
- Creating a National Player Database with all players enrolled in the program to be registered into a centralized database to track development and performance.
- Formation of New Clubs Under the UTA Umbrella. New clubs will be established in Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions, as well as Community and Sports Clubs
Club Formation
The program rollout will see structured club formation across various regions, including West Nile, Lango, Acholi, Karamoja, Teso, Bugisu, Sebei, Busoga, and Bukedi, as well as districts like Wakiso, Mukono, Kampala, Luweero, Mubende, Masaka, Mpigi, Ankole, Kigezi, Rwenzori and Bunyoro.
Each participating district will form a Sports Club/College/University/Secondary/Primary school-based tennis club coordinated by the District Sports Officer. These clubs will serve as training hubs and competition centres within their respective districts or regions.
To ensure compliance with the new Sports Act:
- UTA tutors will dispatch official club registration documents to District Sports Officers and designated school representatives for registration
- Clubs will be formally signed and recognized under the umbrella of the Uganda Tennis Association.
- The School/Club, District Sports Officer, and UTA will each retain a signed copy of the registration documents.
- Registered schools/clubs will receive tennis equipment (balls, rackets and mini nets) from UTA to kick-start activities.
This structured registration process ensures accountability, governance, and formal recognition within Uganda’s sports framework.
Monitoring and Evaluation
The program will be closely monitored to ensure effectiveness and sustainability, with oversight to be provided by the UTA Secretariat and members of the Executive Committee.
There will be monthly and quarterly competitions that will serve as performance benchmarks for selecting district representatives for the Kids Ball Games 2026.
Player progress will be recorded within the UPSSA systems, with detailed records captured for analysis, and the data collected will contribute to the Junior Tennis Initiative (JTI) report submitted to the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
Based on JTI analysis, the UTA Secretariat will identify areas of improvement and implement targeted solutions to strengthen lawn tennis development nationwide.
A New Era for Tennis in Uganda
This development program marks a transformative step for lawn tennis in Uganda.
By aligning with the new National Sports Law, strengthening district structures, and investing in young talent, the Uganda Tennis Association is laying the foundation for a sustainable and competitive future.